Gutter and cover system

ABSTRACT

A gutter and cover system mounts at an edge of a roof to collect water into the gutter without other debris. The system includes a combination gutter and cover made from a monolithic element. The gutter includes a front, bottom and rear extending up to the cover, which extends over the gutter. The cover has a pooling section and a front, curving edge. The pooling section slows down the flow of water and allows it to flow over the curving edge and adhere to the cover due to surface tension while debris falls outside of the gutter. A support element slides inward to provide support for the cover and a front face of the gutter. The support element includes structure for receiving mounting hardware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a gutter and cover system such as is used at the edge of a roof, and in particular to a gutter and cover system with a single element forming the gutter and the cover.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Gutters are used on a vast majority of dwelling houses and other buildings to redirect water to a down pipe, which then directs the run-off to a more convenient disposal location. This avoids splashing, “trenching”, flooding, and other such nuisances. However, a persistent problem with such gutters is that they collect leaves, sticks, pine needles and other debris, which causes the gutters and/or down pipes to become blocked. As a result, water can back up and flood over the gutter edge and sometimes down the side of a building. Gutters blocked by debris can also cause devastating consequences during the winter months by not allowing melting snow and ice to properly drain off the roofs of buildings. During melting and refreezing cycles, this blocked water can then refreeze and act as a dam to the snow, which can continue to melt and leak into the interior of the building.

[0005] To cure this deficiency and alleviate the necessity for manually cleaning out gutters and/or down pipes, various proposals have been made. Such proposals include screen devices that cover the gutter opening to deflect debris from going into the gutter. However, instead of deflecting the debris, such screen devices instead cause an accumulation of debris, which still must be manually removed over a period of time. Other proposals have been made to utilize surface tension to direct the water into the gutter, while the leaves and other debris carried by the water is jettisoned off to the ground. It has been found, however, that surface tension of the water is often not sufficient to contain the water flow against certain counter-forces, such as large volumes of water. To cure this deficiency, proposals have been made to add measures for interrupting the flow of water, such as ribs, to the covers of gutters to slow the water, allowing the surface tension to direct debris-free water into the gutter. Although such devices do increase the effectiveness of surface tension, they still fail to satisfactorily alleviate the above problem. Further, these earlier gutter devices generally have at least two parts, a gutter and a cover over the gutter, which increases the time, cost and difficulty of installing such gutter systems as well as manufacturing such gutter systems.

[0006] Earlier gutter devices utilizing the surface tension of water to separate water from leaves and other debris fail at effectively directing the debris-free water into the gutter portion of the devices. A system is needed that deflects leaves and other debris while effectively capturing and retaining the debris-free water within the gutter portion of the system. Such a gutter and cover system should be structurally simpler and easier to install and manufacture than the prior gutter devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a gutter and cover system for an edge of a roof. The present invention combines the cover with the gutter in a single element. The configuration of the gutter may take on several embodiments, but generally includes a front face that may have a lip at an upper end thereof extending down to a gutter bottom and rear wall. The rear wall of the gutter extends upward and forms a flange. The flange extends above the cover, which extends outward forward from the flange. The cover forms a pooling section and a front curving section that extends under the cover and rearward above the gutter. The curving section preferably extends forward at least even with a forward plane of the gutter.

[0008] The pooling section receives and collects water falling from the roof, thereby slowing the water, dispersing its kinematic energy. As the water pools, it fills the pooling section and flows over the front edge of the cover. Surface tension causes the slowed down water to cling to the curving section and flow downward and rearward to drop into the gutter. The debris falls over the front edge of the cover and is separated from the water so that it does not enter the gutter. In this manner, the gutters receive only water while debris falls outside of the gutter and lessens the need for cleaning the gutters. A rear flange portion extending up from the rear wall portion and projecting above the cover provides a guard against backsplash and aids in alignment for mounting at the edge of the roof.

[0009] A support element inserts into the combination cover and gutter. In one embodiment, the support element has a forked front portion with a top arm that extends upward to the underside of the cover and forward to the curving section in a preferred embodiment. A second lower arm of the support element extends downward under the front lip of the front face of the gutter. The support element extends rearward to engage the rear portion of the gutter. The support element includes an orifice extending there through receiving mounting hardware, such as a screw, bolt or nail that extends through the rear portion of the gutter and into a fascia of the building or roof edge. A typical system includes multiple support elements spaced at intervals along the edge of the roof. A typical distance may be approximately two feet, the distance depending upon the climate, roof construction and other design needs.

[0010] In a first embodiment of the application, the gutter includes an ogee profile. In other embodiments, the gutter includes a more squared front face and may have a slight angle relative to horizontal and vertical. In a further embodiment, the front face of the gutter includes a continuously arcing profile. Each of these configurations include the gutter and cover made from a single element and are preferably monolithic. Typical materials may include aluminum and steel and a typical thickness may be approximately 0.03 inches, although other materials with different properties could also be used.

[0011] These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in that there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding structure throughout the several views:

[0013]FIG. 1 is an end view of a first embodiment of a gutter and cover system according to the principles of the present invention mounted to the edge of the roof;

[0014]FIG. 2 is an end view of an integral gutter and cover for the system shown in FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a support member for the system shown in FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of an integral gutter and cover for the system shown in FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of an integral gutter and cover for the system shown in FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of an integral gutter and cover for the system shown in FIG. 1; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of an integral gutter and cover for the system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of a gutter and cover system 10 for mounting under an edge 32 of a roof 30 of a building or structure 33. In accordance with the present invention, the gutter and cover system 10 is typically roll-formed from a monolithic sheet of material, preferably a metal material such as aluminum, having a uniform wall thickness, typically about 0.032 inch. It can be appreciated that other suitable materials such as steel and alloys and different material thicknesses may be used, depending on the particular application. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the gutter system 10 that includes a cover portion 22 and a gutter portion 24 integrally connected by a rear wall 17. In a preferred embodiment, the rear wall 17 continues approximately 1 inch above the cover portion 22, forming a flange or extension 14 positioned under a drip edge 31 of the structure 33 to prevent flowing water from splashing back onto the roof of the structure 33. The gutter portion 24 includes a bottom wall 15 that integrally connects the rear wall 17 to a front wall 19. The bottom wall 15 is shown in the figures with a flat surface. However, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that it may be rounded to collect water at its center or shaped to collect the water closer to the back area of the gutter portion 24. The front wall 19 extends upward toward the cover portion 22 and desirably concludes by extending rearward and downward to form a lip portion 20.

[0021]FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate alternative embodiments of the gutter and cover system, generally designated 50, 60, 70, and 80, respectively. The front wall 19 may define a number of profile embodiments including, but not limited to, an ogee profile, illustrated in FIG. 1; a continuously curved profile, illustrated in FIG. 7; or a straight profile, illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

[0022] The cover portion 22 of the present invention extends from and is integrally connected with the rear wall 17. Extending generally over the gutter portion 24, the cover portion 22 concludes by preferably curving downward and rearward to form a debris separation portion 12. The debris separation portion 12 preferably comprises a minimum radius to provide sufficient surface tension such that water clings to the debris separation portion 12 and flows behind the lip portion 20 and drops into the gutter portion 24 while debris is jettisoned off the system. Intermediate the rear wall 17 and the debris separation portion 12, cover portion 22 includes a kinetic energy dispersion section 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the pooling section or kinetic energy dispersion section 18 preferably commences at the intersection 26 of rear wall 17 and cover portion 22 and concludes at the top 25 of the debris separation portion 12. In a preferred embodiment, the low point 28 of kinetic energy dispersion section 18 is equidistant from the intersection 26 of rear wall 17 and cover portion 22 and the top 25 of the debris separation portion 12. In alternative embodiments, the low point 28 of kinetic energy dispersion section 18 may be positioned in a variety of locations along the kinetic energy dispersion section 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the low point 28 of the kinetic energy dispersion section 18 is located below both a horizontal axis al tangent to intersection 26 and a horizontal axis a2 tangent to the top 25 of the debris separation portion 12, causing the water flowing over the cover portion 22 to pool and lose kinetic energy before flowing over the debris separation portion 12 and into the gutter portion 24. By dispersing the kinetic energy of the flowing water, the kinetic energy dispersion section 18 allows the surface tension properties of water to effectively direct the slowly flowing water over the debris separation portion 12 and into the gutter portion 24.

[0023] The system of the present invention may further include a support member 40 extending under the cover portion 22 and lip portion 20 of the front wall 19 for strengthening the gutter and cover system 10 against heavy rainfall, snow and other natural elements. The support member 40 may be formed from metal, plastic or other suitable rigid material. As shown in FIG. 3, the support member 40 includes a first portion 46 engaging the underside of cover portion 22 (see FIG. 1), a second portion 44 engaging the underside of the lip portion 20 of the front wall 19 (see FIG.), and a third portion 42 engaging the rear wall 17 of the gutter and cover system 10 (see FIG. 1). The support member may further include a plurality of bracing members, such as crossbeams 45, formed from metal, plastic or other suitable rigid material to further strengthen the gutter and cover system 10. Preferably, the support member 40 also includes a mounting orifice 41 extending through the support member 40, wherein mounting hardware, such as a nail, screw or similar fastener, may extend through the orifice 41 to an opening in the rear wall 17 of the gutter system 10 and into the front of structure 33. In this manner, the gutter system 10 is fixed with respect to the structure 33 and the roof 30 of the structure. The support members 40 are repeatedly positioned at predetermined distances along the gutter and cover system 10 with a typically spacing being two feet.

[0024]FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate further embodiments 50, 60 70 and 80 of gutter and cover systems according to the present invention. In each of the alternative embodiments, a cover portion 22 includes a kinetic energy dispersion section 18 intermediate the rear wall 17 and the debris separation portion 12 that causes water to pool and lose kinetic energy before flowing over the debris separation portion 12 and into the gutter portion 24. In addition, the alternative embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 include a support member, similar to the support member 40, which extends under the cover portion and lip portion of the front wall of each of the embodiments.

[0025] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in that the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gutter and cover system comprising a monolithic element forming a gutter having a front face, a bottom and a rear portion extending upward to a cover, the cover extending over the gutter, and having a debris separation portion extending above the front face and a kinetic energy dispersion section intermediate the rear portion and the debris separation portion.
 2. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the kinetic energy dispersion section comprises a pooling section.
 3. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the debris separation portion comprises a curving front portion extending downward and rearward.
 4. The system described in claim 1, wherein the debris separation portion is configured to have sufficient surface tension that water clings to the system and drops into the gutter while debris falls off the system.
 5. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the front face defines an ogee profile.
 6. A gutter and cover system according to claim 2, wherein the debris separation portion comprises a curving front portion extending downward and rearward and configured to have sufficient surface tension that water clings to the system and drops into the gutter while debris falls off the system.
 7. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the rear portion extends above the cover portion.
 8. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion further comprises a section extending rearward and downward to the rear of an upper end of the front face.
 9. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the monolithic element comprises an aluminum sheet.
 10. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, wherein the monolithic element has a thickness of approximately 0.03 inches.
 11. A gutter and cover system according to claim 1, further comprising a support member extending under the cover and an upper portion of the front face.
 12. A gutter and cover system according to claim 11, wherein the front face comprises a lip an upper end of the front face, and wherein the support member comprises a first portion engaging an underside of the cover and a second portion engaging an underside of the lip of the front face, and wherein the support member is configured for engaging the rear portion of the gutter.
 13. A gutter and cover system according to claim 12, wherein the support member defines a mounting orifice extending there through.
 14. A roof and a gutter and cover system positioned at an edge of said roof, the system comprising: a monolithic element forming a gutter having a front face, a bottom and a rear portion extending upward to a cover, the cover extending over the gutter, and having a curving front portion extending downward and rearward above the front face, kinetic energy dispersing means intermediate the rear portion and the curving front portion, and mounting means for securing said system at said edge of said roof.
 15. The system described in claim 14, wherein said mounting means further comprises an internal support having a cover support segment engaging an underside of the cover, front face segment engaging the front face of the gutter, and a rear segment engaging the rear portion of the gutter.
 16. The system described in claim 15, further comprising affixation means for positioning said support member with respect to said gutter and cover system and for positioning said system to said edge of said roof.
 17. The system described in claim 15, wherein the support member defines an orifice extending through said support member, wherein mounting hardware extends through the orifice to a hole in said rear portion of said gutter and into said structure.
 18. The system described in claim 15, wherein said mounting means is repeatedly positioned at determined distances along said gutter and cover system.
 19. A gutter and cover system comprising a monolithic element forming a gutter having a front face, a bottom and a rear portion extending upward to a cover, the cover extending over the gutter, having a curving front portion above the front face extending downward and rearward, and a slightly concave pooling portion intermediate the rear portion and the curving front portion.
 20. The system described in claim 19, wherein said front face defines an ogee profile.
 21. The system described in claim 19, wherein said front face defines a continuously curved profile.
 22. The system described in claim 19, wherein said front face defines a substantially square profile.
 23. A gutter and cover system comprising a monolithic element forming a gutter having a front face, a bottom and a rear portion extending upward to a cover, the cover extending over the gutter, and having a curving front portion extending downward and rearward above the front face, kinetic energy dispersing section intermediate the rear portion and the curving front portion; and a support element for supporting said cover.
 24. The system described in claim 23, wherein said support element comprises an internal member having a cover support segment, front face segment and rear segment engaging said monolithic element.
 25. The system described in claim 24, wherein the curving front portion is configured to have sufficient surface tension that water clings to the system and drops into the gutter while debris falls off the system. 